Dear Friends, Supporters, Homeowners, Partners and Colleagues,

I am reaching out today with a request. A call to action and healing. I know all of us at Habitat Greater San Francisco join with millions of people across the country in expressing our deep sadness and profound concern about the latest surge in hate crimes directed at Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). In Georgia, eight lives were tragically ended: six were Asian and all but one were women.

Our hearts ache with sorrow for the victims, their families, and their friends whose lives are forever changed following these outrageous and unprovoked acts of violence, including those that have taken place in Oakland and San Francisco.

I want to express the deep compassion and grief I feel for all of them, and for all members of the AAPI communities now dealing with the obvious concern and fear that such horrific acts always engender. These recent actions bring to focus the need for a stronger social fabric, a community that is protected by sensible gun laws, available and accessible mental health support, and the need for us to fight hard each day for inclusive and accepting communities free from bigotry, hate and division. Without changes in these areas, we will continue to sadly confront these devastating and completely preventable acts of hatred.

Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco stands in solidarity with our AAPI brothers and sisters. Many of our partner families are members of the AAPI community across our region. We sincerely express our deepest and most heartfelt condolences as we commit to standing with them and speaking up alongside them.

These attacks on the AAPI community are a reminder to all of us that our work is not done.

We at HGSF can and we will continue to fight for equity, justice, and inclusion. Asian Americans Advancing Justice has called on allies to join in their efforts “to lead with the needs of those most directly impacted at the center: the victims and their families”. You can visit their website for concrete ways to support them. You can also sign the statement as an individual. I have done so, and I highly encourage you to consider doing so.

Thank you.

In peace and solidarity,

Maureen Sedonaen CEO, Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco